CHESTER RFC 17 v DMPRFC 13

In one of the only two games played in National League Three (North), we travelled the long journey down to Chester RFC, hopeful of a continuance of last weekend’s fortunes against a side who were placed third in the table.

Initially, on arrival, there was confusion as to whether the game would actually take place, with a certain area of the main pitch still frozen, despite no problems reported in the build up to the game. That confusion continued for a period, with late kick-off times and other club pitches suggested and inspected.

Eventually, it was decided that the 1ST XV pitch may not thaw and a nearby club training or 2ND/3RD team pitch seemed the more likely, as both teams endeavoured to play a game despite conditions.

The pitch itself, although playable, was quite heavy in places and with a noticeable slope and a dead ball area the size of a postage stamp.

Nevertheless, the game kicked off and Park immediately set off like the proverbial ‘steam train’ pinning down Chester at the bottom of the bank. This led to two quick penalties from Ritchie YOUNG, after sustained pressure on the Chester line and numerous infringements to stem the tide by the home side.

In fact so persistent was their infringing, that a home winger was sin-binned early on, leading to an incident that could possibly have cost Park the game.

Robin EATOUGH, who so often has proved a match winner, lost his composure when dancing through the home defence, on his way to touching down over the try line and was adjudged to have knocked the ball on. A crucial missed opportunity in the bigger scheme of the game, which Park were to rue as the game went on.

This error proved costly, as, on another wave of attacks by the visitors, a home winger picked up the ball, evaded a desperate lunge from Ben SERU and raced 70 yards to score against the run of play, despite the covering efforts of Matty LISTER from the other wing. The try was converted.

However, Ben SERU made up for his error, scoring an individual try before oranges, picking up a loose ball in his own half and then jinking through the home defenders, to score near the posts. The try was converted by Ritchie YOUNG.

Chester managed a penalty just before oranges, but we looked comfortable at the break at 10 -13.

As the game wore on after the break, Chester did come more into the game, but at some stage it was envisaged that the missed try would return to haunt and so it proved, when the home side grabbed a late, but disputed converted try late in the game, as it finished 13 – 17.

Disappointment was the outcome for Park and even though a losing bonus point was secured, it was a game that we contrived to lose as opposed to being beaten by a better side.